Mohamad Hasan hints BN could shake up ‘traditional seats’ for Negeri Sembilan polls

SEREMBAN, July 5 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is likely to make changes by no longer retaining “traditional seats” in the division of constituencies contested by the coalition in the 16th Negeri Sembilan state election.

BN deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said the move was due to the composition of voters in most constituencies having changed significantly.

“We want to look again and, if possible, we want to modify it so that it gives component parties in the BN an opportunity to contest in constituencies where they feel they can win. Compared to the traditional way, for example, seats 1, 2, 3, 4 — these are yours.

“So, it does not provide space and also does not give voters the opportunity to choose. That is my view as the Negeri Sembilan BN chairman: do a seat swap because we must give voters an opportunity.

“If it is getting worse, why do we want to give the same party to contest in the same place? We may change seats, but we will try to accommodate as many friends as possible among BN components,” he said after officiating the Rembau Division Wanita, Youth and Puteri Umno delegates’ meeting here today.

Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, said previous election results would be used as a guide in assessing voter support patterns and demographic changes in each area before any decision was made.

However, he said any final decision regarding the distribution of seats and the list of candidates for component parties, including BN’s allies, was subject to the decision of the BN Supreme Council at the central level.

He said all division heads had been instructed to submit their respective lists of candidates according to the established procedure, with at least three candidates for each seat.

“We will do it immediately because we want to announce the names of the candidates on July 15 when we launch the BN election machinery. We don’t have much time left,” he said.

Mohamad said BN cannot afford any internal disputes ahead of the election because past experience has shown that several seats were lost due to sabotage by its own members.

Meanwhile, he did not rule out the possibility of defending the Rantau state seat, which he has held since 2004, but said the matter would depend on the party leadership’s decision.

The Election Commission (EC) has set polling day for the Negeri Sembilan state election on August 1, with nomination on July 18 and early voting on July 28. — Bernama